How to Use VLC Media Player to Listen to Internet Radio

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Tune in to your favorite radio stations on your computer using VLC

Co-authored by Mitch Harris and Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: April 9, 2025 Fact Checked

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Streaming Radio on Windows

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Streaming Radio on Mac

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Browsing Radio Stations

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FAQ

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Q&A

VLC media player is a popular cross-platform media player that's great for watching videos and listening to music files. You can also use VLC to stream hundreds of free live internet radio stations. This wikiHow guide will teach you how to use VLC Media Player to listen to internet radio on your Windows computer or Mac.

Quick Steps

Open VLC Media Player.
Click the Media (PC) or File (Mac) menu.
Click Open Network (PC) or Open Network Stream (Mac).
Enter the station's URL in the address bar.
Click Play.

Section 1 of 4:

Streaming Radio on Windows

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1
Click the Media menu in VLC Media Player. If you have the URL of an internet radio station you would like to stream in VLC Media Player, use this method to listen to the stream. You'll see this menu in the top right corner of the VLC window.
- Many internet radio stations give you the URL to stream their station. If you don't know what you want to listen to yet, you can check out one of these options, or jump down to Browsing Radio Stations.
  - BBC World Service - https://stream.live.vc.bbcmedia.co.uk/bbc_world_service
  - NPR News - https://npr-ice.streamguys1.com/live.mp3
  - Classic FM - http://media-ice.musicradio.com/ClassicFM
Alternatively, press Ctrl + N.

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If you have copied the URL to your clipboard, just press Ctrl + V to paste it.
It's in the window's lower right corner. This will start playing the internet radio URL you entered.^{[1]
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Section 2 of 4:

Streaming Radio on Mac

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1
Click the File menu in VLC Media Player. This menu is in the menu bar at the top of your screen when VLC Media Player is open.
- You can use this method to stream an internet radio station you already have the URL for. Many internet radio stations give you the URL to stream their stations. If you don't know what you want to listen to yet, you can check out one of these options, or jump down to Browsing Radio Stations.
  - BBC World Service - https://stream.live.vc.bbcmedia.co.uk/bbc_world_service
  - NPR News - https://npr-ice.streamguys1.com/live.mp3
  - Classic FM - http://media-ice.musicradio.com/ClassicFM
Alternatively, press Cmd + N.
If it's copied to your clipboard, just press Cmd + V to paste it.
It's in the lower right corner of the window. This will start streaming the internet radio station from the URL you entered.^{[2]
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Section 3 of 4:

Browsing Radio Stations on Windows & Mac

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1
Click the View menu and select Playlist (Windows only). This toggles on Playlist view, where you can find a list of internet radio stations you can listen to in VLC Media Player. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + L (Windows) or Cmd + L (Mac) to get there.
- Skip this step if you're using a Mac since the playlist view opens automatically when you open the desktop app. If you don't see playlists in the left panel, press Cmd + L to display them.
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Click Icecast Radio Directory. It's under the "Internet" header in the menu on the left side of the window. Icecast is a streaming media service that hosts hundreds of internet radio stations. You can search the Icecast list in VLC for specific stations (including many on-air radio stations from various regions), or just browse to see what's out there.
- You can also check out Jamendo Selections under "Internet" in the left panel for other streaming music to listen to. Jamendo offers trending tracks in various genres.
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Double-click a station to listen. In the playlist on the right side of the window, double-click a station to listen to it.
- Use the player controls at the bottom of the VLC window to manage playback, like pausing or stopping the music.^{[3]
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Section 4 of 4:

FAQ

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How can I save a radio station so I don't have to keep entering the URL? You can add an internet radio station to your favorites in VLC by right-clicking (or control-clicking) the station when it's playing, then selecting Save Playlist to File. The next time you want to listen to that radio station, just double-click that file.
- Alternatively, go to Media > Open File or File > Open File and select your station's file to start listening.
If VLC keeps buffering when you're trying to stream internet radio, there could be a problem with your internet connection. Try disconnecting and reconnecting from the internet or connecting to a different network.
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Why can't I listen to internet radio in VLC Media Player? If the radio station URL you enter isn't working in VLC, you may have copied the wrong URL, or the station isn't in a format that VLC supports. Not every station plays in VLC.
- There can also be codec issues. In that case, make sure your version of VLC is updated.
Yes! Many radio stations have sites online that you can visit to listen on your computer, phone, or tablet. Just go directly to the station's website to see if they have an online player.
Icecast is a free streaming media server platform that can be used to create a streaming internet radio station, podcast, privately running jukebox, and more. Icecast, in VLC Media Player, is a directory of radio stations using the Icecast platform.^{[4]
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Community Q&A

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Question

I found the URLs for stations that I like and can play them, but only by entering the URL each time. How do I save them? I want to end up with a playlist of favorite stations, not of particular pieces of music.

Community Answer

1. Open VLC. 2. Click on the Media drop-down menu. 3. Select Open Network Stream and paste the URL for the station you like in the window that appears. 4. Press Play. 5. Repeat steps 2 - 4 for each station you have chosen. 6. Right-click the mouse and press on Save Playlist to File. 7. Select the file name for your playlist, choose the location you are going to store it and click Save. 8. When you want to listen to the radio stations from your playlist, double-click on the file name, and VLC player will open it. Alternatively, you can open the player, click on Media drop-down menu, press on Open File, and choose your playlist.

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Question

How do I save station URLs so that I don't have to manually enter the URL each time?

Community Answer

You just need to save that URL as a favorite in your browser! Depending on the browser the technique may differ but most of the time you just click the star in the upper right corner. Make sure to give the URL a name so you will remember which playlist is which.

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Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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